Stuart Bell

c1866 - 1912

Amateur rider Stewart John Bell was born around 1868 at Hillaton Castle, near Douglas, in Scotland, the elder brother of fellow amateur rider and later successful trainer James Bell. Like his brother, he rode more than 100 winners over jumps in Britain.

He had his first ride under National Hunt rules on Clansman in the Annandale Cup Chase at the annual Dumfriesshire Hunt fixture on April 17, 1891, finishing third. He achieved his first win courtesy of the stewards after finishing second on Marquis in the Hexham Selling Hurdle at Hexham on May 5, 1892. Stuart and Marquis were beaten half a length by the winner, Matt, but the stewards ruled that Matt’s rider had taken the wrong course and disqualified him. The horse who finished third was similarly disqualified for taking the wrong course.  

Stuart enjoyed his most successful year in terms of wins in 1904 with 13 victories to his name. He rode a treble at Haydock on January 12, 1905, winning the Selling National Hunt Flat Race on Fast Castle, the Station Selling Handicap Hurdle on Mafra, and the Earlstown Handicap Hurdle on Iddo. He finished third in the 1905 Grand International Hurdle on Happy Slave. 

Like his brother, Stuart commenced training in Carlisle. However, he initially remained in the North after his brother moved to Epsom, training at Malton, Middleham, and in Staffordshire. He continued to ride in races and achieved his two biggest successes on Cheriton Belle in the 1906 Jubilee Handicap Hurdle and on Perseus II, trained by James Bell, in the 1908 Imperial Cup, which was in those days considered the most important hurdle race of the season. 

He eventually relocated to Epsom in 1911 and joined his brother at Woodcote Rose Stables in Epsom and rode for him on several occasions. He had the last of his 105 wins aboard Perseus II, the 6-4 on favourite, in the Apsley Hurdle at Bridgnorth on April 23, 1912. Perseus II was also his final ride when finishing fourth in the Marchington Handicap Hurdle at Uttoxeter the following day.  

Sadly, Suart died from pneumonia on November 12, 1912 at Stafford. His funeral was held at Castle Douglas.